Prominent northern leaders have asked the federal government to exercise caution against the proposed relocation of US and French military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria.
In a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu and National Assembly leaders, the elders expressed concerns over potential defense agreements that could see troops stationed in Nigeria. They emphasized that the removal of French and American forces from Niger raises questions about the effectiveness of foreign military presence in combating terrorism.
The leaders cautioned against sacrificing Nigeria’s sovereignty and independence for alliances that may have adverse future consequences. They underscored Nigeria’s historical opposition to defense pacts with foreign nations since the 1960s, citing instances where such agreements were perceived as compromising national autonomy.
Signatories of the letter include prominent figures such as Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training, former minister of State for Petroleum Resources Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe, and former INEC chairman Attahiru Muhammadu Jega.
The elders argued that the presence of foreign troops, , could lead to inflation of local prices and living costs, as well as environmental degradation, impacting agricultural communities and indigenous populations.
